Fee change for state IDs also to take effect on May 1

The city is reminding Oahu residents that it will begin the implementation of new regulations governing the issuance of driver’s licenses at its Drivers License offices, effective May 1, 2014. This is in accordance with State Department of Transportation Rules.

The requirements for supporting evidence to accompany applications for a driver's license in Hawaii will now become identical to the document requirements in place for state identification cards.

As a result, in addition to satisfying requirements for documenting the applicant’s legal name, date of birth, legal presence in the United States and social security number, those seeking to obtain a Hawaii driver’s license will also be required to present two forms of proof of principal residence in Hawaii. These include bank, or agency-issued documents mailed to a resident’s principal residence, such as utility bills (electric, water, sewer, cable TV), vehicle registration or title, current driver license, voter registration, property tax assessment form, student identification card, and medical insurance cards, among others.

"Similar requirements for supporting documents have already been in effect for obtaining a State ID card," said Sheri Kajiwara, Director of the city’s Customer Services Department. "Internal staff training and public information efforts are ongoing as there are many individual circumstances to be addressed. We highly recommend that those seeking a Hawaii driver’s license take the time to understand the document requirements, before going down to a Drivers License office."

Names shown on all certified or original documents must be identical. In the event names do not match, such as may result from a name change due to marriage, the marriage certificate, or other government-issued document proving the name change must also be submitted with the application.

The new regulations are part of a broader implementation by the Department of Homeland Security of the Real ID Act of 2005, which requires Hawaii and all other states to comply with strict rules before issuing a driver license or state identification card.

Also simplifying the program, the fee for both state IDs and driver licenses is set at $5 per year. State ID cards are issued with an eight-year term of validity, regardless of the age of the applicant, for a $40 charge. Driver's licenses are issued for different periods depending on age groups. Duplicate cards incur a $6 charge for all.

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